Package of Energy and Emissions Initiatives Vaults Sunshine State to National Forefront

WASHINGTON (July 13, 2007) – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed a package of new measures to reduce heat-trapping global warming emissions in the state using a combination of pollution limits and new incentives designed to reduce consumer electric loads and drive investment in cleaner energy technologies. It is among the most ambitious set of policies among the 18 states that have now adopted legal limits on global warming pollution.

Following are remarks from Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Bringing cleaner, more efficient energy technologies to Florida is as good for the economy as it is for the environment. These are visionary steps that will help ensure Floridians’ quality of life and bring new jobs to Florida communities. It is precisely the kind of leadership we need nationwide to beat global warming. Gov. Crist has moved Florida squarely into the top tier of states working to solve this problem.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.